Fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism

Abstract

A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism for a foldable bathroom shower seat or other hinged device, comprising a hinge housing; a rotatable element rotatable received in the hinge housing and connectable or connected to a hingably movable part of the hinged device for angular displacement therewith; and a detent mechanism which releasably retains the hingably movable part of the hinged device when in a raised, condition. The detent mechanism includes a first detent part located on the hinge housing and a second detent part located on the rotatable element and which is cooperable with the first detent part to prevent or substantially prevent unintentional movement of the rotatable element in the hinge housing. One of the first and second detent parts includes an integrally formed cantilever arm which is cooperable with a remaining said one of the first and second detent parts to prevent or substantially prevent unintentional movement of the rotatable element in the hinge housing.

1 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism for a hinged device, the fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism comprising a hinge housing; a rotatable element rotatably received in the said hinge housing and connectable or connected to a hingably movable part of the said hinged device for angular displacement therewith; and a detent mechanism which releasably retains the hingably movable part of the hinged device, when the hingably movable part is moved to one position, the said detent mechanism including a first detent part located on the hinge housing and a second detent part located on the rotatable element and which is cooperable with the said first detent part to prevent or substantially prevent unintentional movement of the rotatable element in the hinge housing, wherein one of the first and second detent parts includes an integrally formed cantilever arm which is cooperable with a remaining said one of the first and second detent parts to prevent or substantially prevent unintentional movement of the rotatable element in the hinge housing.  
     
     
         2 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the said remaining one of the first and second detent parts includes a ridge which is cooperable with the said cantilever arm  
     
     
         3 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cantilever arm has a protuberance which is engagable with the remaining one of the first and second detent parts.  
     
     
         4 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cantilever arm has an opening or recess which is engagable with the remaining one of the first and second detent pars.  
     
     
         5 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cantilever arm is integrally formed as part of one of the hinge housing and the rotatable element.  
     
     
         6 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable element is fully receivable in the hinge housing.  
     
     
         7 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a removable cover which closes the hinge housing to prevent or limit unintentional access.  
     
     
         8 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the removable cover rotates with the rotatable element.  
     
     
         9 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling element for connecting the hingably movable part of the hinged device to the rotatable element, the coupling element including a non-circular boss for engagement with the hingably movable part, and the rotatable element including a complementarily shaped opening for receiving the non-circular boss.  
     
     
         10 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hinge housing is included as part of a back plate for fixing to a wall of a bathroom.  
     
     
         11 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanics as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, when the hingably movable part is a seat element of a foldable shower seat, the hinge housing is or forms part of a frame structure for supporting the seat element.  
     
     
         12 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in  claim 1 , being in the form of a kit parts.  
     
     
         13 . A hinged device having a fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism as claimed in is  claim 1 .  
     
     
         14 . A hinged device as claimed in  claim 13 , which is a foldable bathroom shower seat, drop-down hand rail, toilet seat, or shower screen  
     
     
         15 . A fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism or a foldable bathroom shower seat or other hinged device, the fully enclosed detent hinge mechanism comprising a hinge housing; a rotatable element rotatably received in the hinge housing and connectable or connected to a hingably movable part of the hinged device for angular displacement therewith; and detent means for releasably retaining the hingably movable part of the hinged device in a particular condition, the detent means including a first detent part located on the hinge housing and a second detent part located on the rotatable element and which is cooperable with the first detent part to present or substantially prevent unintentional movement of the rotatable element in the hinge housing one of the first and second detent parts being in the form of one or more cantilever arms.